>> hello and welcome to the journal live on dw. >> her headlines this hour. even human rights investigators say syria should be taken to the international criminal courts. >> the german president mes the families of victims murdered in a neo-nazi killing spree. >> supporters of venezuelan leader hugo chavez celebrate his returns from the hospital in cuba. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--

>> a u.n. human rights investigator says it's time for the international criminal court to investigate war crimes in syria. she was a former chief prosecutor at the criminal court before she joined the u.n. >> the statement was made in geneva after an inquiry on syria released athey have askede accountability for violence is created by both sides. it has already claimed an estimated 70,000 lives. >> distressing images showing the aftermath of a helicopter assaults on aleppo. 20 were killed. this is just one many incidents of war crimes documented in the civil conflict. murder, torture, and rape

becoming commonplace in a war becoming more chaotic by the day. this is the conclusion of the u.n. commission of inquiry on syria whose findings were presented. it says that the civilian population is bearing the brunt of the widening violence. >> there is a food shortage, especially bread. bakeries have been attacked. there is a need for water. hospitals have been bombed. >> experts have found a war crimes committed by both sides. they say the rebels are using child soldiers while government crew -- troops are guilty of more. >> now is time for the international criminal court to get involved. there needs to be a formal inquiry. there are no indictments to be made. >> investigators say the house a list of suspected war criminals but without a decision by the

u.n. security council, they cannot bring them to justice. >> for more now we go to our european correspondent in brussels. we asked her if the eu is prepared to back the call for war crimes. >> the problem there is the u.n. security council would have to refer the case to the courts and the eu has failed in its attempts to get russia, a permanent member of the u.n. security council, to put pressure on their ally, syria. they say they welcome any attempts from any side to end the conflict and end the violence happening. they have always said that they were concerned about crimes committed against humanity and they have always stressed that they will do everything that they can to support moves to end the conflict in syria. >> we will have more in a moment, but staying in brussels

, they have agreed to renew an arms embargo against syria. britain wanted to allow the nation's two armed forces, but many say neither side should be armed with weapons from europe. sanctions are also amended to provide greater humanitarian and technical assistance and protection of civilians. let us turn now to nina to ask for more about the foreign minister's reasoning for renewing the arms embargo on syria. >> most eu countries are worried about the further militarization of the conflict. they say against the background reports coming in that anti- government forces have also committed war crimes but they are reluctant to send more arms into the region. the eu has always said they want to support the opposition president assaad, but they want to help in the political

process that will lead to a transition, but today's deal was some kind of a compromise. they say it is of utmost importance to support the civilians there and anti- government forces in their efforts to protect themselves and today's decision does not mean the issue of lifting the arms embargo could not be on the table in the near future, but they're still reluctant to send arms to syria. >> eu foreign ministers also agreed to apply higher sanctions against north korea. p'yongyang carried out another nuclear test last week and new measures ranged from financial restrictions to bans on travel. >> despite widespread condemnation, north korea has been celebrating the success of their current nuclear tests since 2006. p'yongyang says it was in response to hostility from the

west. >> the german president has met with relatives of the victims killed by the neo-nazi group, the national socialist underground. there was shocked when it was revealed that sloppy work by intelligence agencies was responsible for failing to link to the crimes to the white ring -- right wing extremists. there were killed in a series of crimes. a tour of turkish or didn't -- origin. >> there's frustration in the government's handling of the killings and they're still looking for answers. for over a decade, german security services failed to draw a connection between the murders of 10 people, eight of them turkish immigrants. the police assumed the victims had died in local disputes.

the relatives were accompanied by their official representative. in a recent interview with a german newspaper, she said she empathized with their position. the victims' families have every right to criticize the flawed work of the investigators and to expect answers from the politicians. the bundestag's investigating committee has been looking into the murders for one year now and they have uncovered a series of scandals ranging from shock breaded documents to paid informants who could've helped to inform the group. several chiefs of state police agencies have stepped down. the trial of an alleged co- conspirator starts in april and many are hoping some of the unanswered questions will be addressed in her trial. >> of action is the chairman of the parliamentary investigative committee looking into the

failure of intelligence in this case. we asked him why so many people are wondering why it's taking so long for them to come up with anything. >> we only had this time to investigate, but a crucial question. how could it have been possible that the terrorist group went into hiding for 13 years and committed 10 murders, 14. robberies and two armed assaults without being identified by our police for other security services? up until now, we have heard more than 50 witnesses and we have studied about 2000 files and we are on our way to come up with our summary, a final report for the summer. >> what changes are needed to prevent what we have seen in the

past? >> there were three aspects leading to the fact that they were not found. first of all, the danger that comes from the neo-nazi groups in germany has not been taken seriously enough. the second point is that there were prejudiced investigations because many of the victims were migrants and the police were extremely convinced that organized crime and mafia activity had to be the reason. they did not think for a second that there might be a racial background. we found out during our work that the security executions, 36 of them, they are not communicating enough with each other and that must also change. it is not just a change of structures that we need but also a change in police work. >> most of the victims were of turkish origin.

you have just come back from turkey. how concerned are they about racially motivated violence in germany? >> germany and turkey are very closely linked. we have 3 million people living here with roots in turkey. of course they're very concerned about what has happened like we are here in germany. we went there as a delegation to make sure we were running a transparent investigation and we promise to deliver all of our conclusions. >> sebastian, thank you. >> turning retention out of business news. workers of the spanish airline iberia have launched a five-day strike. employees are protesting against the plan to cut almost 4000 jobs. >> 400 flights will be cut this week. they said flights would be found on other flights in the pilots are expected to go on strike, as

well. >> arm to monday's market action. there was a buy recommendation for lufthansa. boosting the dax this monday. >> iberia's work force is heading into difficult times, but german rivals lufthansa and air berlin are under pressure to increase profits because they're expecting a higher this year. the german market also takes a step forward, but u.s. markets are closed because of a holiday. draghi and others in focus of the economy recovering. the german recovery in a modest

pace. >> the dax finished up by nearly .5%. eurostoxx 50 up just a bit. the euro trading slightly higher, $1.3350. venezuelan president hugo chavez has made a surprising return of from cuba where he had another surgery for cancer and treatment. but she had not been seen since undergoing a fourth operation last december. his supporters turned out in numbers to welcome him back home. >> celebration on the streets of caracas. they're coming out to show their joy of the president's return. >> welcome back to venezuela. >> we love you.

there is an entire population and that will support new always. >> it to the speculation to rest, he released these pictures showing him with his daughters. he appears alert and in good spirits. they broadcast messages from members of the government will commingle leader back. he told them that the president was in good condition but would be continuing his cancer treatment. supporters gathered in front of the hospital where he is being treated. despite enthusiasm and his return, it remains unclear when he will take up his duties again. clads exit polls in armenia

suggests the current president has been reelected with a comfortable majority. >> he is one of 50% of the vote -- he has won 58% of the vote. they said they failed to present them with any real choice and after several of sarkisian's opponents with a group. there was also an assassination attempt by one candidate and a hunger strike by another. >> accord in belgium has rejected an appeal for early release of a convicted child murderer. they turned down his request to spend the rest of his life sentence outside prison on electronic surveillance. he was convicted of kidnapping and raping six girls in the 1990's. they did not believe he would be able to reintegrate into society. we will be back after a short

break. don't go away. >> more on the infamous horse meat scandal.

>> germany as promising tighter controls on meat products as well a stronger penalties for those who violate the rules. this comes after traces of horse meat were found in several european countries. clucked the consumer affairs minister presented a national action plan to the agricultural ministers and it includes intense impressed that -- testing procedures, up-to-date consumer information, and an early monitoring system on stages of production. >> who can know for sure what ready meals contain? beef?

or horse? only a laboratory test can tell. the eu has failed to introduced before reaching labeling laws for ready meals. that's no do to change. the origin of food products much more clearly identified. >> most of all, we want to work together to resolve these cases as quickly as possible. >> they want a meet screening program that goes beyond the eu guidelines. they also want an early-warning system looking out for supply chain irregularities. the sanctions are clearly not enough of a deterrent. >> we want this to be made as unattractive as possible which

requires appropriate sanctions and the targeting unjust profits. >> that means the authorities will be able to completely confiscate all profits made through mislabeling. >> and other foods scandal and some argue the food industry is credit -- struggling to remain profitable in an increase in competitive world. >> they try to outbid each other, but as we see this comes at a price and it can be quality. >> and this is because of tight restrictions already in place and it's not the first time it's happened either. >> it was 1996 that a link was confirmed between mad cow disease and a variant of the deadly human disease, ckd. the european union banned u.k. exports. they relabeled contaminated meat

that llanded in germany. germany created a consumer health agency. producers are required all be sold in europe and given full responsibility for the sake of their product. more problems emerged. in 2005, a rotten meat scandal struck germany. an intermediary had sold waste for human consumption and 50 companies had been relabeling meat up to 4 years old. they had covered up where the meet had come from and who sold it. >> to dig the monitoring in germany is carried out at a regional local, county level, sometimes municipal. that is out of step with the

fragmented nature of today's industry. >> controls work tighten an additional food safety inspectors were employed. it was not to be the end of the scandal. in 2010, emerged a company had been mixing industrial fat containing dioxin's with animal feed. it took the authorities months to piece months. then, as now, criticism was aimed at them. >> they want them to the monitoring themselves. it does not work for the ones who want to cheat. >> there are now growing calls for a re-examination of the whole of the european meat industry.

>> amazon has announced they fired a german security company amid accusations that seasonal warehouse workers had been harassed. >> they were named in a german television documentary for allegedly misreading foreigners. suddenly our door wearing copy clothing with a brand strongly associated with the new nazi movement. allegations of overworking and underpaying its staff. temporary workers hired for the christmas season were housed in overcrowded accommodation and paid less than agreed. the service industry union is livid. >> it's hard to grasp how i company like amazon can think of treating their workers like this. the aim now is to make sure dignity is restored to the working condition that amazon. >> unions in germany have long

criticized as excessively low wages and breaches of employment law in a variety of industries, but it has not prevented working conditions from sliding steadily downhill and not only an online retailers. on monday, the government released new figures showing the number of people in shift work has increased and one in four employees now have to work weekends, 9 million people. that may be the norm for hospitals and the police, but retailers have also extxtend working hours and some factories operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. >> the german bishops' conference got under way on monday. they will have a lot to discuss over the next four days with the pope's surprising resignation and ramifications for the catholic church. >> 6 german cardinals attending the conference will also be a part of the conclave to elect

the next pontiff. they have to reach a consensus on issues such as the stands on birth control and women priests. we went to gauge the mood of catholics in germany. >> he has been increased for almost 50 years and he has served this parish for over three decades. >> it is the first sunday following pope benedict's announcement and its what everyone is talking about. >> he is almost 86 and has every right. it shows humility. it's good. >> it's a very big step. people have often suffered from the office. it's good to see that a pope can resign. they are human, too. >> in western germany, home to one of the oldest catholic

diocese. they won the church year to modernize. pope benedict is the source of much heated debate. >> 80%-90% of all followers use contraception, officially forbidden by the vatican. if we and drifted apart to such an extent, something must be wrong. >> it is not just an issue among worshipers. he says the bishops are often too detached and have to deal with grass-roots issues. >> i see this among the full- time staff, the ones on the front line. they are frustrated and disappointed with the leadership, the bishops' conference, but disappointed with wrong. this is much greater than among normal questions. >> the mass is over in berlin. the priest here is happy with the church. he is an admirer of pope benedict saying there's no need

for change. >> i enjoy reading everything he writes and says. i pass a dawn because people are rarely heard from the man in a theological sense. >> continuity or change? the opinion is divided and the wish list for the new pope is long. >> it's like what he wished for the church last year, to strengthen faith and not get tangled up in superficial matters like taxes there and other issues. >> i want the new pope to continue that and continue to use worked started by john paul ii. >> i would like a young girl pope coming under than the current one. i would like more forms to get women involved in the church.

>> many here believe things have to change, especially to stop the solution catholics from turning their backs on the church. >> for more and are, john, we just heard about the fact that some german catholics are looking for more reform. how is that scene? >> it's a very german phenomenon actually. there is criticism and even hostility toward the catholic church in other countries and far less demands for theological reforms. in upper cook, it is a very on critical atmosphere. >> how likely is it that we will see a non-european? >> it is very suspect. they have not voted along geographic lines.

if they had come and the latin americans would not have elected cardinal ratzinger seven years ago. >> western societies seem somewhat removed from the church. where is this going? >> it's a very old institution, isn't it? let me tell you is story. in the beginning of the fifth century, the gosse overran rome. -- the goths over ran. most people thought that was the end of the catholic church and christianity. just a few centuries later, the descendants of those same people built the man of this and cathedrals that are the pride of medieval europe. you are watching the journal on dw.